Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro
Our Verdict: There's 19 years between the Galaxy XCover 7 Pro and the Galaxy S26 Ultra, so the Galaxy S26 Ultra is ahead on most things. The S26 Ultra has the better camera on paper, 200MP versus 50MP, and the S26 Ultra packs the bigger battery, 5000mAh against 4350mAh, which usually means longer between charges. The S26 Ultra has the stronger screen, bigger at 6.9" against 6.6" and sharper at 498 PPI, and the S26 Ultra goes up to 1TB of storage, where the XCover 7 Pro tops out at 128GB. Coming from the XCover 7 Pro, the S26 Ultra is a genuine upgrade rather than a token one.
If you'd rather pay up front, the XCover 7 Pro is the cheaper buy at £499 SIM-free.
Prices updated 27 July 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.9" | 6.6" |
| Display | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 | 1080 x 2408 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 498 | 400 |
| Rear Camera | 200 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 12 Megapixels | 13 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 4,350 mAh |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB |
| OS | Android | Android 15 |
| SIM Type | nano-SIM and e-SIM | nano-SIM and e-SIM |
| Connectivity | Up to 5G | Up to 5G |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac |
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm | 168.6 x 79.9 x 10.2 mm |
| Weight | 214 grams | 240 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Contracts |
£16.00/mo
£545.00 upfront |
- |
| SIM-free | £899.00 | £499.00 |
| Prices updated 27 July 2026 | ||
| Deals | Deals | |
Cheapest Deals
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro's 6.6", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 400, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra uses a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro has a IPS LCD.
Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 200 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?
The Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £499.00.
What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro comes in 128GB.
What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro use?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro uses the Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm).
Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the more portable of the two: it's 26g lighter at 214 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm, and is slimmer at 7.9mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rated IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min), while the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.
What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro run?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra runs Android and the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.